CONCA DEI MARINI
There are two parts to Conca dei Marini: the seaside hamlet and the upper town, where most of the inhabitants live. The territory of Conca dei Marini offers a number of sights. Among the natural features we can mention the Grotta dello Smeraldo, a unique underwater rock formation, and Capo di Conca with the prestigious Aragonese Tower dominating the bay. And on the cultural front there is the former Convent of Santa Rosa, dating back to the 11th century, whose claim to fame includes the invention of a popular local cake, the sfogliatella Santa Rosa; the small conventual church contains various works of art and the body of Saint Barnabas the Apostle.
The churches of San Pancrazio and San Giovanni Battista also go back to medieval times, although now they appear Baroque, and both also contain fine art works. The historical centre of Conca dei Marini features houses in the local style with arches, loggias and vaulted ceilings as well as gardens with pergolas and lemon trees. It is an unforgettable experience to wander through these houses, vegetable gardens and lemon groves in a scenario that has remained unchanged down the centuries, with every now and then breath-taking views of the sea and the cliffs. Since the 1960s Conca dei Marini has been a favourite with VIPs, including among others Jackie Kennedy, Princess Margaret, Gianni Agnelli, and the Chandon family of champagne fame, who owned a fine villa here.
GROTTA DELLO SMERALDO
Just 3 km from Le Cicale. Discovered only 50 years ago by a fisherman from Conca dei Marini, this grotto provides a magical kaleidoscope of lighting effects, stalactites and stalagmites that has been thousands of years in the making. Measuring 60 metres by 30 metres inside, it takes on an intense emerald hue. It also features a fine underwater nativity scene.
FIORDO DI FURORE
From Le Cicale you have a spectacular view down into the Fiordo, a nature sanctuary and a paradise for several rare species of both plants and animals, including a giant bulbous fern and the peregrine falcon. In the hamlet you can see the traditional fishermen’s houses, known as monazzeri, an ancient chapel cut into the cliff face, a mill that served the paper works and a lime kiln. The beach is very fine, lying beneath two towering cliff faces. A museum has been dedicated to Anna Magnani, protagonist of a famous film Roberto Rossellini made here in the sixties, in which Federico Fellini also made a brief appearance.
SENTIERO DEGLI DEI
Only 7 km by car. This is the finest path along the Amalfi Coast, and surely one of the most famous paths in the world. It provides a full immersion in the Mediterranean landscape with breath-taking views at every turn, and is sure to be one of the most memorable experiences of a lifetime.
PARCO REGIONALE DEI MONTI LATTARI
A few kilometres away. Only recently instituted, it is a genuine novelty for all the lovers of the Amalfi Coast. Pristine landscapes and marvellous paths through woods and peaks rising to nearly 1500 metries, without ever being far from the sea.
AMALFI
Only 4 km from Le Cicale, this is the pearl of the Coast, to which it adds the lustre of its historical and artistic past. As early as the 9th century it was a maritime power; its heyday came in the 12th and 13th centuries when it ruled the waves, being appointed a Repubblica Marinara together with Venice, Genoa and Pisa. This period is still celebrated every four years with the traditional “Regata delle Repubbliche Marinare”. Its artistic treasures begin with the Cathedral, with its splendid façade and monumental staircase. The adjacent Basilica del Crocifisso and cloister should also be visited with the marvellously conserved medieval frescoes. The medieval craft of paper making is celebrated in a most interesting museum. Then simply meander through the alleyways, where fine residences and magical gardens lie in wait at every turn.
PRAIANO
Just 5 km from Le Cicale, this is one of the most picturesque towns on the Amalfi Coast. It has a fine church with a dome clad in ceramic tiles, whiile in its streets and alleyways you are constantly coming face to face with the sea.
POSITANO
Just 15 km from Le Cicale, this is surely the second pearl of the Amalfi Coast. Its historical centre is perched on the hillside like a giant crib scene, overlooking a wonderful beach. Its unique fascination is a draw for the big names in the international jet set.
RAVELLO
Just 8 km from Le Cicale, this must count as the third pearl of the Amalfi Coast. It has a medieval historical centre and aristocratic residences which now figure among the most elegant hotels in the world. We can mention the medieval cathedral adorned with important works of art and the two splendid villas: Villa Rufolo, where Wagner found the inspiration for the magical garden that features in his opera Parsifal and is now the main venue for the annual Ravello Festival, and Villa Cimbrone, with its marvellous gardens and immense panorama from the Belvedere perched sheer above the sea.
MAIORI
Just 8 km from Le Cicale. “Regina Maior” is now the largest town on the Amalfi Coast, featuring a fine esplanade, large beaches and numerous hotels. Its historical centre is rich in churches and monuments.
MINORI
Just 7 km from Le Cicale. “Regina Minor” has been beautifully conserved and is also rich in churches and monuments, as well as important archaeological sites. The beach and seafront are very fine.
CETARA
20 km from Le Cicale. This is where the traditional local fishing activity still lives on, with a harbour and an important fleet of fishing boats. At the same time it has a perfectly conserved historical centre, rich in churches and residences.
VIETRI SUL MARE
A 25 km dalle Cicale è il paese delle ceramiche. I negozi pieni di coloratissime e bellissime ceramiche sono la vera attrazione, ma anche il paese con un bel centro storico e le grandi spiagge non vanno dimenticati.
SALERNO
30 km from Le Cicale. A fine, airy city set beside the sea. Following a spectacular period of growth it can now claim to be the most progressive and civilised city in the region, possessing infrastructures such as the metro which few cities of 150.000 inhabitants can boast. It also has a new international airport, and a modern port is currently under construction. In fact it competes with Naples, perennially in the throes of a crisis, for leadership of the region. Its historical centre is remarkable, with the medieval cathedral and perfectly conserved urban layout. Its esplandade is one of the most elegant in Italy.
SORRENTO
Sorrento and its coastline are very close, just 30 km from Le Cicale, with some of the most beautiful landscapes and resorts in Italy, including Seiano, Vico Equense, Sant’Agnello and Meta di Sorrento, set in superb natural surroundings.
POMPEI
30 km from Le Cicale. Undoubtedly the most important archaeological site in the world. You will be amazed not just by the beautiful remains on view but also by the sheer size of the place: it’s just impossible to cover it all in one day. Not far away the sites of Ercolano, Stabiae and Oplonti were also buried during the eruption of 79 AD.
VESUVIO
45 km from Le Cicale. Probably the most famous volcano in the world. Together with Monte Somma it is now protected as a National Park. The flora and fauna of a truly untamed nature, the crater and the panorama from the top are all unique. In spring, with the gorse in bloom, the crater becomes one mass of yellow.
NAPOLI
60 km from Le Cicale. For many this is the most beautiful city in the world, and it is certainly one of the most interesting. In the 2500 years of its history it has always managed to be both progressive and backward, combining moments of splendour with others of abject poverty. This unique character has found expression in all the arts: in fact Naples has always excelled in theatre, music, painting, architecture, and the applied arts, taking its place in the forefront of European culture. You will be astonished by the incredibile artistic heritage, surely unequalled in scope and importance. The historical centre, among the largest and best conserved anywhere, is a UNESCO world heritage site. Among the jewels we can mention the four medieval castles, two splendid royal palaces and literally hundreds of churches, including eight Gothic basilicas where such leading Italian artists as Giotto, Tino di Camaino, Donatello, Pietro Cavallino and Caravaggio were all employed. Naples ranks with Tuscany and Umbria as a showcase for Medieval Italian art and architecture. The city centre is occupied by hundreds of magnificent historical residences dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries, some now in decay. Then there is the Archaeological Museum, with the most important display of Greek and Roman remains in the world, thanks also to the Farnese collection. The Museum of Capodimonte occupies one of the two royal palaces, displaying fundamental works by Titian, Raphael, Caravaggio, Botticelli, Lotto, Bellini, Correggio, Mantegna, Canova, Masaccio, drawings by Michelangelo and so much besides. You should not miss the opportunity to go to the Teatro San Carlo, the oldest opera house in Europe and one of the most prestigious in the world, staging first class productions drawing on a unique tradition. And if you have time, make sure you visit the Tesoro di San Gennaro, with its priceless display of gold and silverware and precious jewels